Chicago Style Stuffed Spinach Pizza

When my friends first suggested eating a stuffed spinach pizza, the first
thought that raced through my mind was that of the canned vinegary spinach found in the
canned-goods isle at the supermarket. At first I absolutely refused to even consider the
idea but, after much persuasion and a few cold beers, there sat our stuffed pizza.

To my amazement, the pizza was absolutely delicious. The spinach was fresh and didn't
taste much like spinach at all. It took on a whole new dimension when eaten with the
tomatoes, cheeses, and crust. The next time we ordered this pizza, we added fresh
mushrooms and onion and it got even better. I am not ashamed to say that stuffed spinach
pizza is now one of my favorite pizzas.

The stuffed pizza is just that. Stuffed. The filling is completely sealed inside a
dough shell. Tomatoes and cheese are placed on the top shell during the last few minutes
of cooking which allows the top crust to brown before the toppings are added.

Dough Recipe

1 1/2 pounds (5 cups) bread flour

1 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons active dry yeast

1 teaspoon salt

In a stand mixer (KitchenAid), mix together the water, oil and yeast until the yeast
is fully dissolved. Add the flour and salt. Mix on low until most of the flour has mixed
with the wet ingredients. Increase speed and knead until dough forms a cohesive ball and
is smooth and silky, about 10 minutes. Transfer dough to a large bowl and cover tightly
with plastic wrap. Allow dough to double in bulk, about two hours, punch it down and
briefly knead it again to collapse all of the air bubbles. Remove 1/3 of the dough and set
aside. Place the remaining dough in bowl and cover.

Filling Recipe

2 pounds fresh spinach, washed, dried, and chopped

1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, washed and cut into 1/8" slices (optional)

1 small onion, cut into 1/8" slices (optional)

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

16 ounces whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded

Salt & pepper, to taste

While the dough is rising, preheat oven to 500-degrees F. Prepare the filling by
heating the olive oil in a large skillet and adding the spinach, garlic, chile pepper,
salt and pepper. Cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until the spinach wilts and
most of the excess liquid has evaporated. Drain the spinach in a colander and set aside
until needed. Blanch the mushrooms and onions (in separate batches) in boiling water.
Drain in a colander and set aside until needed.

Topping Recipe

28 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, drained and roughly crushed

5 to 6 fresh basil leaves, chopped

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

(Note: if you prefer, you can substitute your favorite pizza sauce in place of the
crushed tomatoes).

When the dough has doubled in bulk, punch it down and knead it briefly (about 1
minute). Remove 1/3 of the dough and place it back in the bowl, covering tightly. Roll the
large portion of dough out into a 16" circle. Place the dough into a lightly greased
15" x 2" round deep-dish pizza pan. The dough should come up 2" on the
sides. Mix the spinach, mushrooms, and onion together with the mozzarella cheese. Fill the
dough shell with the mixture.

Roll out the remaining dough into a 14" circle and place it on top of the
filling. Pinch the top and side edges together to seal. Prick the top with a fork to allow
steam to escape.

Let the pizza rise an additional 15 minutes in the pan before baking. Bake at
500-degrees F. for 15 minutes, then lower the temperature to 400-degrees F. and bake for
20 to 25 minutes. Add the tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan cheese during the last 10 minutes
of baking time.